Optus signs up NSN for network upgrade

LTE on its way

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Optus looks poised to launch LTE services after securing a ‘multi-million dollar’ deal with Nokia Siemens Networks as its sole packet core vendor. The carrier has been trialing LTE services since 2010 but has yet to commit to a roll out date.

The head of Nokia Siemens Networks Australia and New Zealand Kalevi Kostiainen confirmed that it would supply its Evolved Packet Core platform which will allow Optus to launch new services.

“Our platform is LTE-ready and adds enormous capacity to data transport channels, allowing Optus Open Network to be flexible in responding to the market demands related to high capacity, using a robust platform,” he said.

The Evolved Packet Core from Nokia Siemens Networks can accommodate GPRS, WCDMA and LTE network traffic. It also includes Nokia Siemens Networks’ new Flexi NG GGSN platform and NSN will also provide its Charge@once Mediate solution that will allow Optus to introduce new services without making any major changes to its charging and billing systems.

Optus Networks MD Günther Ottendorfer said that the network upgrade was in response to the “explosion in mobile broadband and a rise in smartphones.” He added that the Mobile Packet Core solution will give Optus the flexibility to provide more bandwidth to customers as required.

Optus has invested over $2 billion over the last five years in its mobile networks. In February Optus said that it had started phase two of its LTE trial expanding the pilot trial area to Sydney's eastern suburbs, operating in the 1800MHz band. ®